World War II Honoree

FLOYD L HARRIS

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

TACOMA, Washington

Honored By

RICHARD L HARRIS

Relationship

NEPHEW

SERVED IN THE 319TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP, 12TH AIR FORCE, AS A TOP TURRET GUNNER IN THE B-26 MARTN MARAUDER. THEY WERE KNOWN AS 'THE FLYING TAILBIRDS.' HE SUCCESSFULLY FLEW 63 BOMBING MISSIONS. THE 319TH BOMB GROUP PARTICIPATED IN ATTACKS ON ENEMY AIRDROMES, HARBORS, RAIL FACILITIES AND OTHER TARGETS IN TUNISIA UNTIL FEBRUARY 1943. IT PARTICIPATED IN THE REDUCTION OF PANTELLERIA AND THE CAMPAIGN FOR SICILY. THE GROUP THEN TURNED TOWARD ITALY AND SUPPORTED ALLIED FORCES AT SALERNO, ANZIO AND MONTE CASSINO. THE 319TH BOMB GROUP RECEIVED TWO DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATIONS DURING THE WAR. THE FIRST WAS AWARDED FOR PINPOINT BOMBING OF THE ROMAN RAILROAD YARDS MARCH 3, 1944. THE SECOND WAS FOR BOMBING THE RAILROAD YARD AT FLORENCE MARCH 11, 1944. THE GROUP CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE ALLIED OFFENSIVE IN ITALY. DURING THE INVASION OF SOUTHERN FRANCE IN 1944, THE BOMB GROUP WON THE FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM.